Pizza and pasta were the biggest culprits

New research suggests that a significant percentage of dishes advertised on restaurant menus as being “gluten-free” still contain gluten.

A study presented Monday at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting found that about one-third (32 percent) of restaurant menu items listed as free of gluten actually were not free of the substance.

For the study, researchers recruited volunteers nationwide to test 5,624 foods using portable gluten detection devices. Eighty-four percent of the foods tested were specifically labeled as “gluten-free,” but 32 percent of that figure contained gluten at levels of at least 20 parts per million (ppm).

Some “gluten-free” dishes were more likely than others to be contaminated with gluten -- namely, pizza and pasta. About half of pizza and pasta offerings that were labeled “gluten-free” still contained gluten, according to lead author Dr. Benjamin A. Lerner of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University in New York City.

"Restaurants are now offering gluten-free options more than ever before,” Lerner said in a statement. He noted that the FDA regulates packaged foods claiming to be gluten-free, however “no similar oversight exists for restaurants.”

"Given the possibility of cross-contamination, eating out can be a source of risk and anxiety for many patients,” Lerner continued.

Time of day a factor

The study, which took place over the course of 18 months, revealed that time of day also played a role in the likelihood that “gluten-free” menu options would still contain gluten. Gluten contamination was higher during dinner than at breakfast (34 percent vs. 27 percent, respectively.)

Additionally, gluten contamination was found more often in fast food restaurants such as McDonald's (33 percent) than in casual dining restaurants such as TGI Fridays (about 29 percent) or fast casual restaurants such as Chipotle (22 percent). More than 30 percent of the gluten detection tests produced positive results for beef, burgers, french fries, and desserts.

Lerner noted that the study’s findings might not be representative of all restaurant foods labeled gluten-free, as participants may have selected some dishes based on their doubts about gluten contamination.

Still, Lerner says the findings are “a big deal” considering approximately 1 percent of the U.S. population has celiac disease.

“For those patients, exposure to gluten in their diet can cause various symptoms — nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain. But also it can cause damage to their intestines,” he told Today.

"In future research, we hope to investigate the potential mechanisms of gluten contamination in restaurant foods and identify interventions to reduce its occurrence,” Lerner said.

At ConsumerAffairs we love to hear from both consumers and brands; please never hesitate to Contact Us.

At ConsumerAffairs we take privacy seriously, please refer to our Privacy Policy to learn more about how we keep you protected.

You’re responsible for yourself and please remember that your use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use.

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

The information on our website is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof.